Seventh-seed Albany (17-0) will look to get the program's
first-ever NCAA Division I women's lacrosse tournament win in its
first-ever tournament appearance when it visits Dartmouth to face
the Big Green on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Albany is the first America East team to go undefeated in the
regular season since the conference's inception in 1996. In John
Battaglino's first year as the team's head coach, the Danes have
garnered the program's first America East championship and first
national top-10 ranking. Senior Nikki Branchini is the program's
first Division I All-American and senior Taylor Frink is Albany's
first-ever Tewaaraton Award nominee.

"I've coached a lot of great teams. Their performance this year
has been one of the best," Battaglino said after Albany's
tournament match-up against Dartmouth was announced last Sunday. As
the seeded team, Albany typically would have hosted a first-round
game, but is unable to because of commencement on campus this
weekend.

The Danes often have more coaches and trainers on the sidelines
than they do substitute players. Carrying a roster of just 20
players, Albany has had just a handful of subs throughout the year
due to injuries.

The team's senior leadership is unmistakable, with Branchini's
lock-down defense, relentless ground ball play and ball control
domination complimenting Frink and Battaglia's balanced offense and
combined 84 goals. Frink and Battaglia's respective 81 and 66
points this year put them one-two on the team's all-time single
season scoring list.

But just as important this year has been the contributions of
underclassmen. Freshman midfielder Ariana Parker started every game
and scored 43 goals, while sophomore Rachael Burek is fourth on the
team with 26 goals. Parker was named to the America East all-league
first team along with fellow freshman Michelle Primomo (10 caused
turnovers).

"We took the freshmen under our wing," Battaglia said. "They
definitely had to play like they weren't freshmen."

Battaglia made an immediate impact on the team in 2008 as the
third-leading scorer in her freshman year. She was named first team
all-conference as a sophomore and established the program mark with
a .655 shooting percentage in 2009. Her junior campaign was limited
by injury, but she still finished second on the team in assists
last year.

"Freshman year, this is not something that I ever thought we
would have attained...maybe America East championship, but never a
perfect season," Battaglia said. "I never thought that our program
was going to be where we are now."

Battaglino has downplayed his team's success and undefeated
record throughout the season. He said he took a team with mediocre
expectations and set the bar higher than it ever was before.

"The kids are stepping up. I always expect and demand a little
bit more than they think they're capable of," he said earlier this
season. "As freshmen, a lot of them are playing out of position and
learning the game."

Battaglia said Battaglino has been clear what his expectations
are from the beginning of the season, adding that the first-year
coach has led by example. Battaglino was recently named America
East Coach of the Year by the conference.

"After working so hard, it's a great accomplishment," Battaglia
said. "I couldn't be more happy. We waited four years for
this."

Albany faces a giant killer Sunday in 11-4 Dartmouth. The Big
Green derailed top-ranked Maryland's bid for a perfect season in
the teams' regular season finale May 1 before falling to Harvard in
the Ivy League tournament. Dartmouth is a perfect 8-0 at home this
year, including the win against the Terps and a 10-7 home win
against then-No. 13 Syracuse in April.

"They're a great team. They've obviously had some good
competition this year," Battaglia said. "Our goal is just taking it
one game at a time and doing the little things right. I don't think
we're going to be changing too much as far as our mindset."